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Committee advances bill to create voluntary treatment program for nurses
Summary
Representative Stevens presented House Bill 219 to create a voluntary, participant-funded treatment-and-monitoring program for nurses modeled on existing programs for other professions; Senator Dolezal moved to advance the bill and the committee passed it by voice vote.
Representative Stevens asked the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on Monday to advance House Bill 219, an alternative-to-discipline program that would allow nurses who face substance-use, mental-health or physical-health issues to enter confidential treatment and monitoring instead of formal disciplinary action. "We have this particular program for pharmacists, dentists and physicians," Stevens said, describing the measure as a mirror of those existing programs and a way to get health professionals back to work.
The bill would make the program voluntary and require the participant to pay the program expenses; it would include testing and follow-up monitoring aimed at keeping licensed nurses in the workforce while addressing underlying problems. Supporters told the committee the program is intended to encourage clinicians to come forward early and avoid escalating disciplinary or judicial proceedings.
Senator Dolezal moved that the committee "do pass" the bill; Senator Williams seconded. Chair O'Kosk called for a voice/hand vote and the committee recorded the motion as passing unanimously by voice vote. No roll call tally was recorded on the record.
The committee did not debate substantive amendments and committee members asked clarifying questions about how the program compares with existing programs in other professions and whether other states use similar models. Representative Stevens said most other states have comparable programs and that the bill's chief feature is voluntary entry with monitoring to support a return to practice.
Stevens thanked the committee after the vote and the chair noted Senator Rhett will carry the measure on the floor. The committee moved on to other agenda items.
